chapter 8

Kane's pov

I paced back and forth in my office, my thoughts in disarray, replaying yesterday’s events over and over.

How the hell did I end up in that situation? What was I thinking, going to her place? I didn’t expect… didn’t want to see what I saw. But the moment that door swung open, and she stood there—bare, vulnerable, and so utterly beautiful—everything shifted.

Her body was imprinted in my mind, as clear as if she were standing in front of me now. The smoothness of her skin, the way her curves flowed together perfectly, her delicate, perfectly shaped breasts, the slight dip of her waist blending into her hips… God, she was like something out of a dream. I fought—really fought—not to lose control in that moment

. I had to summon every ounce of willpower I possessed just to wrap that towel around her, shield my eyes, and back away. It wasn’t just about her body—it was everything about her. The way she looked at me, the softness of her lips, her scent that lingered in the air, pulling me in closer.

I did my best, I truly did. But the cravings had to be satisfied, so I kissed her… It was over. I couldn’t stop myself. The way her lips melted into mine, the heat between us—it consumed me. I nearly lost it. I almost gave in right then and there, ready to take her against the wall, consequences be damned.

Thank the Goddess her brother had walked in when he did. If he hadn’t… Well, there’s no way I would’ve been able to stop.

A knock interrupted my spiralling thoughts, pulling me back to the present. I cleared my throat, trying to regain a sense of composure, blinking as if to shake off the images still burning in my mind. “Come in,” I said, my voice rougher than I intended.

The door opened slowly, and Alex stepped in, his expression unreadable. He bowed slightly, acknowledging me. “Alpha,” he greeted.

I nodded toward the chair opposite my desk. “Have a seat.” I sat down myself, trying to appear calm and collected. But I could feel the tension in the air, thick and heavy.

Alex moved to the chair and sat, his posture stiff. His face was blank, his gaze cold. I expected anger, expected him to lash out about what had happened with his sister. Any brother in his shoes would have been furious, but Alex remained neutral, guarded.

“I want to know more about your sister,” I finally said, watching for his reaction.

His eyes darkened, and he shot me a glare. “Nothing is interesting about her. We’re Omegas, Alpha. I’m working my way up the ranks for the betterment of my family. That’s all you need to know.”

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “Your sister is my mate. I need to get to know her.”

Alex's jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might snap. But he kept his composure, though his voice was ice-cold when he replied. “The mate you rejected at the party? Because that’s my sister.”

Guilt gnawed at me. He wasn’t wrong. I had denied her and ignored the pull of the bond when it first hit me. It had been a mistake—one I now regretted deeply. “I’m sorry,” I said, surprising even myself with the sincerity in my voice.

Alex’s eyes widened, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of shock pass over his face. Hell, even I was surprised. Apologising wasn’t something that came easily to me.

But this… this was different. The bondmaid made everything so complicated, awkward, and hard to digest. Julia wasn’t just anyone now. She was my mate, my other half, and I’d be damned if I let her slip away.

“There’s not much to know about us,” Alex said after a long pause, his voice quieter now. “Our father died when I was a teenager. I’ve been taking care of my family ever since. Julia’s still in high school—she’s graduating next year. I plan to make sure she gets a better education and a better future. She’s everything to me, Alpha. Everything.”

His words were laced with warning. He wasn’t just talking about her future—he was warning me that any harm to her would mean crossing a line. The utter disrespect, but I chose to push it aside; if I had a sister, it would probably be worse than this.

“Do you plan on rejecting her?” He asked out of the blue, but the question did not surprise me.

It had been thrown at me from every corner, especially from my mother, who seemed to very much appreciate the idea.

“I owe you no explanation or details of what I plan to do.” My tone was laced with authority, indicating who the superior was.

“She will die if you reject her; if you want us to leave the pack and start life somewhere else, then we will, but I will not tolerate her death.” He argued.

I nodded slowly. “I understand. That’s why I think you should take a break.”

Alex tensed immediately, his eyes narrowing. “A break?”

“I’m not firing you,” I clarified. “But every responsibility concerning your family can be handled by me. I’ll take care of it. I just have one request.”

He watched me, wariness evident in his expression. “What’s the request?”

“No one can find out about this yet. There are things I need to take care of first before I can claim her as my mate. The timing isn’t right.” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “But the bond between us is there for a reason. The Moon Goddess has her plans.”

Alex’s lips twitched, clearly disliking the idea. But he didn’t argue. He knew he didn’t have much of a choice. He might be Julia’s brother, but he also knew his place in the pack’s hierarchy. And if the Goddess had chosen his sister as my mate, then he couldn’t stop what was already in motion.

“Fine,” he said, at last, his voice tight.

I nodded, knowing that this was just the beginning of a much more complicated path.